Fighting Skunks with Bacon
By Scott Williams
My brother and sister-in-law have one of those energetic Australian cattle dogs. Roux lives a fairly docile life indoors but expends all her pent-up energy in their spacious backyard. She especially loves to chase any cat in view.
Or anything that looks like a cat.
One evening, we were sitting in the den when Roux barked to come in from one of her backyard jaunts. As soon as the door opened, we knew there was a skunk in the yard. Less than half a second later, we knew there was skunk all over Roux.
My brother whisked her up to give her a bath, employing every home remedy known to man to minimize the odor. I say minimize because the smell was still there. And strong.
The next morning, I was overcome by a strong, familiar smell coming from the kitchen. Not an unpleasant one, but one that rescued my senses. No longer did everything in the house smell like skunk, but like bacon.
I know it’s not kosher, but I couldn’t help but think about 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 when I smelled the bacon.
“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”
There can be a lot of rottenness in the world, and marriage isn’t immune to its stench. At times, it’s so obvious and undeniable it’s nearly enough to knock you for a loop.
As followers of Christ, our presence should hint at the presence of Christ nearby. Not just to the world, but to our spouses. I’ll remind you we never saw the skunk, but we never had to. It was there.
When unseen powers of this world threaten to overwhelm my wife, I should radiate the aroma of Christ. And vice versa. Our words, attitudes, and actions never stay with us, but end up filling our home and affecting our mates.
The world can be stinky enough without us adding to it.
Read more on fighting the stench of this world with the aroma of Christ.
The Good Stuff: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Action Points: How do we overcome the aroma of skunky death with the aroma of Christ? By introducing the good to overwhelm the bad. How can you be the aroma of Christ to your spouse? Through the help of the Holy Spirit train yourself to find the good things, to bathe in them, and then to let the goodness waft toward your spouse.
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